SuperDrive MacBook Air and USB SuperDrive - any difference?

[bartrek]

I have question

SuperDrive MacBook Air (MB397G/A) and USB SuperDrive (MD564ZM/A) are the same?

SuperDrive MacBook Air is cheaper than USB SD, but why? I need SuperDrive for iMac Late 2012 and I don't know if SuperDrive MAcbook will be work.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

The MBA SuperDrive isn't a current product, which may be why you're finding it cheaper somewhere. The USB Superdrive is the current model.

I'm guessing there's no real difference; they just called it the MBA Superdrive originally since the MBA was the first Mac to lose built-in optical. Now that most of them don't have it, "USB Superdrive" is a more useful name.

I don't see cable length specs anywhere but it's possible that the cable is shorter on the MBA version; they may have lengthened it to accommodate the iMacs.

 

[justperry]

Wasn't it the case that the one mentioned did not work on other Macs, I think I read that here on MR years ago, I could be wrong though.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

@justperry you may be right. Found this article that may be relevant:

http://www.tuaw.com/2012/04/02/use-the-macbook-air-superdrive-with-any-almost-mac/